Time controlled valve operating mechanism



Feb. 3, 1948. H. M. REEvEs TIME CONTROLLED VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM Filed March 51, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 flior/gs.

Feb. 3; 1948. H. M. REEVES 2,435,324

TIME CONTROLLED VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM Filed March 51, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2' A mfilllllmllllll' and selectively set at any Fig. 3 is a plan view Patented Feb. 3, 1948 TIME CONTROLLED VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM Herbert M.

Reeves, Kankakee, 111., assignor to Florence Stove Company,

Gardner, Mass., a

corporation of Massachusetts Application March 31, 1944, Serial No. 529,011

14 Claims.

The invention relates to improvements in time controlled valve operating mechanisms.

One object of the invention is provide a valve operating mechanism of the above general character which, by reason of its simplicity, compactness, and wide range of adjustability, is particularly suitable for use in controlling the top burners of gaseous fuel cook stoves.

Another object is to provide a time controlled mechanism which may be set selectively for automatically effecting different degrees of adjustment of a valve such as fully or partially closing the same after a predetermined lapse of time.

A further object is to provide a time controlled valve operating mechanism for use with gaseous fuel burners which does not interfere in any way with the normal manual operation of the valve, but which may be placed in control of the valve time while the valve is in use to effect a change in burner operation after a predetermined timed interval.

, It is also an object of the invention to provide a compactly organized time controlled valve operating mechanism, consisting of relatively few and simple parts, which is conveniently adjustable both for different degrees of valve operation and for different timed intervals and which is capable of providing automatic burner control with complete safety.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the followin detailed description of the preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a gaseous fuel cook stove equipped with time controlled valve operating mechanism embodying the features of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the mechanism with the front panel of the stove and the setting dials removed.

of the mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially 'on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a front view of the setting dials.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 6-45 of Fig. 2.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, I have shown in the drawings and will herein describe in detail the preferred embodiment, but it is to be understood that I do not thereby intend to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but intend to cover all the modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

For purposes of illustration, the invention has been shown in the form best suited for installation in a cabinet type stove If! for controlling one of the top burners of the stove. In the particular stove shown, each of the burners is provided with the usual shutoff valve having a rotatable stem H (Fig. 2) projecting forwardly through a panel l2 closing the front of the stove. A suitable knob or handle 13 on the valve stem is accessible at the front of the panel for manual operation of the valve.

The improved valve operating mechanism com prises generally an actuating member If; biased by a spring 16 to an inactive position and capable of being set selectively in any one of a plurality of operated positions for imparting varying degrees of adjustment to the valve with which it is associated. A timing device 11, also selectively adjustable, is provided for initiating the operation of the actuator. Through the medium of a novel driving connection provided between the actuator and the valve stem l l, the actuator is enabled to operate the valve automatically when required without interfering in any way with the normal manual operation of the valve.

As herein shown, the actuator I5 is in the form of an elongated flat bar pivotally supported at one end to rock about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the valve stem I! and guided at its free end by an angular guide strip 19 mounted on the stove body. Pivotal support for the actuator is provided, in this instance, by a shoulder screw 20 (Fig. 2) threaded into a supporting plate 2!, removably secured to a bracket 22 which is bolted or otherwise rigidly attached to a stationary part of the stove, such as an inturned flange 23 on the lower edge of the panel 12. The biasing spring I6 is preferably connected between the flange 23 and to the actuator l5 intermediate the ends thereof, so as to yieldably urge the latter against a fixed stop 24 defining the normal or inactive position of the actuator. The stop may be of any suitable character and is suitably mounted on the plate 2 I.

Any suitable means may be utilized for rocking the actuator 15 from its inactive position to various operative positions whereby the spring is is tensioned and the actuator thus conditioned for performing its valve operating functions. As herein shown, the means providedfor this purpose comprises a drum 25 rotatably mounted on a cup shaped supporting member 26 carried by a mounting bracket 21 attached to a stationary l? v to eng agethelatch elem n member 30, herein shown a an annula hlgnop or.

ring, is secured to the drum as b suitable screws 3|. The knob is arranged to project through an aperture in the stove panel 1-2 {or convenient access from the front of the stove and is provided with suitable indicia for indicating the various set positions of the actuator. 1

In the particular burner control arrangement illustrated, the valve operating mechanism istar ranged for efiecting two, different adjustments of the' burner. valve, inv this instance to close, the valve either fully or partiallytajtsrvit has; been opened manually. Means. is. accqrdingly, provided for releasably latchingitheactuator I a-in either of 'two' 'opera'ted positions spaced; progressivel farther from its normal inactive. position. A herein shown, the latchingtmeans comprises an elongated lever 32 fulcrumed on theistationary bracket '2 'an'dl'iaving oneend bent outwardly (Fig.3) to form a latch -element 33: for enga ment by a dog '34carriedby the actuator IS. The other end of the lever is offset laterally and. ex tended rearwardly into operative relation to the timing device 'I 1'- which is adapted to control the position thereof as willappearpresently.

"The dog 34; herein shown'as generally U .-shaped inform; is arrangedto straddle the actuator 15 and pivotallysec'uied' thereto-by a pin 3i-passing through the actuator'and-the'two legs of the dog. Forfcqoperatioii,ivith'the latch element 33 in holding the actuator in the two operated-positions above freiefred to one leg of the dog is xt nde o re nes atq aga i sl h u 6 spaced a substantial distance; m front of the lciuat r A i. unr it exfi 9e Qrii 31 on sai oneleg'of th dog shaped to define a sfi ondlatch engaging shoulder 31;: (Fig.3) located nectedibetweenthe actuator'and a lug iueictendh dogpyieldably urges the mg 'rearwardly fr dog into a Desi elem a Aiiheani uae vot to permit the u der' h flatch lat nsa's'i ief ulder atd, positions} The latch en instance; ar spj si shpuldersjfina g 4.38, in thi rockedtoleithersog th v fore described. M ti ularly,the arrangement is such th V shoulder 36 engage the latch-element to he ac tgr in th lfull line os t on sh wnt l rab e; i el lioui si i art so as to enable them i 0 hentheactuator; vw po i i nsetof is eeenqe tzu'mez it i with the actuator l5 confined-between the te Q ile-breaks:

' dtateblahi b memb'er 16 valve stem ll through the medium of a novel driving connection which permits normal manual operation of the valve at all times. The driving gonn ection ash erein showm include a movable member; 45 adapted to be connected to the valve stem H and having a one its preferredf orm, the member 45 comprises generally triangular metal plate pivotally supported adjacent its apex by a pin 46 formed on 'theend of a screw .411; threaded into the supporting-plate 2 I shown in Fig. 4,-the member is 22 which thus serve to support and guide the member, the plate and bracket beingfsuitably spacedpapart for this purpose by a spacing element 48.

theedas Rat on Qithe member. 4a rem from its Pi @X' .t stlinedt utwar ly ai rm anarcua I, ange 1g-adaptsd v to serveaS- astrack otaflai 1- ba dfifl an boreda t nendu n I i ther and o :v theband fl s ad up 5| (Eg .2) se uredfioihe -ed ei sgs a l rably m nted on the valve stem inmaclgof the panel I and ls ocksd iwr ta y asetscrew qtpmvidea ay driv n connesti nibes ween. he tor .5.1 and hemember, 45;.ths atters, are ti d; a. i sp n its e nd: with: a airoi inwardly mole t elussfi and itemized -1 "la e; 1, .ac ng ij e atc i and ili -;th d, st T eme-5:53

a ar: ngagemen by; an tun? he g-3, The forwa ded" 0 t fin er- 5 h pedtcdefinean it ra ive, o. eng g one [01: he i3 5 a dhus P sit v y- 11. e h-i ham m r nsthe rsteset-me menmi h ac uato he r" a Qi 9 95% i -aissg eferabla lun d rincl ned to ermit it Q-s p unde emes in h m rement. o he; actuator: owa erated. positions. tuawnmaynthus e e -w en e rne i Remnan out d stur i-na e adiusted nQsi-twn i-the burner-val 7 In order to automatically,disengagevthe valve aa ai eame h e sia ft a h operatioai th member 45: isssupported with it pivotal axis mi ie-ihiss ust n eb o .theepivctal agris oi th eactuator l I BX-asshOWnin Figs, 2,.and;. Accordingly, he-do el." dgQ Qfzt I 9-J1 g; ,3 outwith twliichit s di s-t e tua rt nproaches t -in cti nesl ic l snrela i e os tion i.-the, ar..ts.-:at the instant of such disengagement vis..shovm in brokeali sia i -ra thaar a ssmsn b i s' e ha hfimfillblirifis} ft z mm connection lwith the actuator after predeterminedmovement slice,- tive to produ ce the desia edl valve setting but-befene heact atori a hs g ts na t v osition-,

Timed control of the valve .operating niechanism iagfiected tby the timer ,'l.l .throug {the meheretofore, has one end portionfextended' lnto Pe at er nsasement w thi hieen Florcmstrollin heMth-l ver e m n i encejis pmidq il# ta fie i l xicirc la i ineb nn i ss- Z m lr-m untednon h inner nds ri g a ran edco nt ically in the-asmetcrs t n r n sians, termin tinsha its r lend in a ma'nually :operableknob fil. hez iihsmsiahes s:nqnarotatab x secun eon:the

square end of a timing shaft'63 adapted to be way driving connection plate 2! and the adjacent the finger 55 is caused to slide over' 'ber Bl in a clockwise direction (as 1 through substantially that is, until the 30 is opposite the stationary jflpanel. In the intitial movement of the knob, the "releasing cam acts to cam the pin 61 out of the driven by conventional clockwork enclosed within a casing 64 mounted on the supporting strap 21. The arrangement is such that the clockwork may be wound up by manually turning the hub memviewed in Fig. 2) whereby the clockwork is rendered efiective to turn the hub member back to its initial starting position at an accurately timed rate.

As will be seen by reference to Figs. 2 and 6 of the drawings, the timing cam 60 is formed with a radially opening notch 66 dimensioned to receive a pin 61 carried by and projecting laterally from the end of the lever 32 overlying the hub B l The notch is located with respect to the hub member so that it is in a position to receive the pin when the hub member and the associated timer setting knob are in their starting or off position. A spring 68 (Fig. 2) acting on the lever 32 urges the pin 61 into the notch thereby rocking the lever 32 into a position to withdraw the latch element 33 from the path of the dog 34. In all other positions of the hub member, the pin 61 rides over the peripheral edge of the timing cam 50 which is thus effective to hold the lever 32 and latch element 33 in effective latching position.

To facilitate disengagement of the pin 61 from the notch 55, a second or releasing cam 10 in the form of an annular metal plate is mounted on the hub member Bl in face to face relation with the timing cam 60. The releasing cam is formed with a radially opening notch H substantially in alinement with the notch 66 and presenting a gradually sloping cam surface 12 at one side. Preferably, the releasing cam is non-rotatably fixed to the hub member 6! while the timing cam 80 is mounted for limited rotation relative thereto. To this end, the releasing cam 10 is provided with the pin '13 engaging in a slot 14 in the cam 60 as shown in Fig. 2. When the timer setting knob 52 is initially turned for setting the timing device I], the releasing cam turns therewith while the timing cam remains stationary, thus enabling the cam surface 12 to cam the pin 61 outwardly from the slot 65. Continued rotation of the knob results in rotation of the timing cam 50 and the cam is carried around to the extent necessary to provide a desired interval of operation before the latch is disengaged to release the valve actuator.

In operation, the burner valve is opened manually by turning the handle I 3 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. l. The member 45 moves with the valve stem, being rocked to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 2 when the valve is fully opened. Manual adjustment of the valve may be made at any time without interference from the valve operating mechanism, the member 45 following such movements of the valve and assuming a position corresponding to that of the valve setting.

'With the burner in operation and the parts occupying the positions shown in the full lines in Fig. 2, the valve operating mechanism may be set selectively at any time to either fully or partially close the valve after a, predetermined lapse of time. By way of example, let it be assumed that the burner is to be shut off after one half hour of operation. To condition the mechanism for performing this function at the desired time, the timing device is set by turning the knob 62 one half of a revolution, minute mark on the knob marker 15 on the stove notch 66 in'the timing cam thereby rocking the lever 32 to the latching position. Upon completion of the adjustment of the timing device, the notch 66 of the timing cam is located in the position shown in the full lines in Fig. 2, that is, substantially diametrically opposite the pin 61 and the latter is riding on the periphery of the cam. The actuator l5 may now be set by turning the setting ring 30 in a clockwise direction until the Hi-to-oif indicia 0n the ring is in line with the stationary marker 15. This results in the movement of the actuator to the high-to-ofl position shown in full lines in Fig. 2 in which it is held by engagement of the shoulder 36 of the dog 34 with the latch element 33. In the movement or the actuator to such position, the finger 55 of the dog is carried beyond or to the right of the lug 53 on the member 45.

Upon release of the timer setting knob 62, the clockworks of the timer rotates the hub GI and timing cam 60 in a. counter-clockwise direction at a rate effective to return the notch 65 to the f0 or starting position at the ,end of a thirty minute interval. As the notch reaches the 0 position, the pin 61 drops into the notch and the latch element 33 is withdrawn from engagement with the shoulder 36 of'the dog, thereby releasing the actuator to the action of its biasing spring l5. The spring accordingly returns the actuator to its inactive position and the actuator, in this return movement, operates through the driving connection provided by the finger 55 and the lug 53 to carry the member 45 along with it. The movement of the member 45 is transmitted to the valve stem l I through the flexible band 55, thus serving to'completely close the valve. Substantially at the instant of valve closure, the finger 55 rides out from under the lug 53, thus disengaging the actuator from the member 45 and freeing such member and the valve for subsequent manual operation.

In setting the mechanism for partially closing the valve, the timing device I! is adjusted in the manner above described. The actuator setting ring 33 is turned, however, only sufficiently to rock the actuator l5 to the intermediate position, in this instance, a quarter turn to aline the Hito-low indicia on the ring with the stationary mark 15. The actuator is held in this position by the shoulder 38 of the dog 34 in engagement with the latch element 33. The finger 55 of the dog is now positioned for engagement with the lug 54 of the member 45 in the return movement of the actuator. The member 45 is therefore carried a proportionately smaller distance in the return movement of the actuator and accordingly turns the valve stem H only enough to partially close the valve.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the invention .provides a valve operating mechanism of novel'and advantageous construction capable of being set selectively for effecting different degrees of adjustment of a valve after the lapse of a predetermined adjustable timed interval.

The mechanism is simple in construction and very compact, thus particularly adapting it for the control of the top burners of gaseous fuel cook stoves. When installed in such stoves, the mechanism does not interfere in any way with the normal manual control of the burners, yet is available whenever required for automatically controlling the burners in a safe and positive manner.

I claim as my invention:

1. Time controlled mechanism for use with a valve adapted to be v ing, in combination, actuator adapted to be connected to the movable member of the valve, spring means urging said actuator to an inactive position, latch means for holding said actuator in either of two operated positions, manually operable'means for moving said actuator to either of said operated position-s against force exerted by said spring means, and adiustab'le timing means operable to disengage said latch means and thereby release said actuator for return to inactive position by said spring-means, said actu: ator being effective in retm'ning from one operated position to partially close valve and in returning from the other operated position to completely close the'va'lve.

2. Time controlled mechanism for use with a valve adapted to be opened manually, comprising, in combinatiton, a pivoted adapted to be connected to the movable member ofthe valve, an actuator biased to an inactive position and adapted to be latched in either of two oper-- ated positions, time controlled means ior releasing said actuator for return to inactive -position, and means providing "a connection between said actuator and said pivoted member whereby said actuator is adapted to rock said member to either atully or partially close the-valve depending upon the operated position from which it is released.

Time control-led valve operatin mechanism comprising, "in combination, a member biased to an inactive position, means adapted to connect said member to the movable member of a manually opened valve, manually fiheralble means for setting said operated positions, means "for "holding said intimbe-r in either operated positiom'and an adjustable timer operable to release said "member for returnto inactive position, said member being operati-ve in returning from one operated position topartially close the valve and in returning from the other operated position to fully close the valve.

4. Operating mechanism usewith :a valve adapted to be opene manually comprising, in combination, a pivoted member adapted to "be connected with the movablemeniber of a valve and movable therewith'whe the valve is opened manually, a spring biased actuator adapted to be latched in either of two selected positions in which the biasing spring'is placed under tension, said actuator when released returning to an in active position under the of the biasing spring and acting to rock said pivoted member iiifiererit amounts to either ruily or partiallyplose the valve depending said lever.

5. Timing mechanism for use with a valve :adapted to be opened marmally comprising, in :eombina'tion, valve actuating means -.adapted to beset selectively lor either fiillyor partially closing the valve, :a-spr ing operatively associated with said :actuating means and adapted to store up upon the initial position or opened compass member selectively either "of "two tuator having .a pair of spaced shoulders engage-.-

able selectively with said latch element to hold the actuator in either or two operated positions, said shoulders being spaced apart so as to enable said actuator to partially close the valve when released from one position and to fully close the valve when released from the other position, and time ,controiled means for withdrawing said latch claim-mt to release said actuator. V F

:8. Operating mechanism for use with a valve having a rotatable stem comprising,v in combination, an actuator adapted to be moved through varying distances, means for transmitting the movements of said actuator to the valve stem includinga member pivotally supported adjacent one end, means providing a one-wa driving :con. motion between said member and said actuator, a zclnum adapted {to :be rigidiy secured .to the valve stem, and a flexible band anchored at opposite ends to said drum and to :be free end of said member, said' band being wound on said drum when the valve stem is manually operated to initialiy adjust the valve and being unwound therefrom in :the "response to the :movement of said actuator ifor' automaticall readjusting the valve;

L'Val-ve operating mechanism comprising, in mbination, :a spring biased actuator,v :a latch lever operable to releasably iatch said :lever in selected operated positions, a timingldevice tor releasing said actuator including a member so itatable manually in one direction to set the tims device iortrotating the'member inthe reverse gdirec -on-at a predetermined timed rate, a :gen- ,erally circular .cam :rotatable with said member, to. pin carried by said .Iever extending over said .oam, said cam having ,Qeive said "pin upon the return of said member tozitsiiriitial starting position, said .pin ridingfover the periphery of said cam while the member :is

energy as an incident tothe setting-citric -actuating means, latch :ine'ahs operative to hold "said actuating means in -=eitlier set position, and

a manually adjustable timer fordis'engag'ing said 'latch means to free said '-actuating means for :operationby said "spring.

6. Operating mechanism for use with-a valve adapted toybe opened manually comprising, in combination, a pair of members supported to rock about parallel axes, means adaptedto-connect one of said memberstofthe inovablemember pf-th-e valve, a pair of iaterally-spaced lugsonsaid displaced from jitS starting position whereby r-to :hold said 'lever in latching position, and spring means operative to rock said clever to releasing position when said n0tch is presented :for

:reception offsaidjpin.

T10. Naive operating mechanism comprising, in rcombination, :a spring biased actuator, :a ilatch lever operable to releasably latch said actuator in selected operated positions,;a pin carried at mne end of said lever, means for controlling the z nrcvements of said lever between Hatching and inelasing positions including a, member rotatable manually :in :one direction and by clockworkfin the reverse directionsa pairof generallycircular zcams .mountedon-and rotatable with said menirber, said Fhavin'g notches normally aline'd to receiversaid pin and thereby lpermit movement of said lever to releasing position, and means providing a lost motion connection between said member and one o'f said cams whereby {said camjs niayfiberelatively "rotated tocam said -:pi-n out pi said notches and itnerebygmovesard lever t Tatchingposition,

a notch positioned to -re:-

11. In a time controlled valve actuating mechanism, in combination, an actuator biased by a spring to an inactive position, a latch element, a dog carried by said actuator presenting a pair of spaced shoulders engageable selectively with said latch element to hold said actuator in either'of two operated positions, means for withdrawing said latch element from engagement with .said dog, and means providing an operative connection between said actuator and the valve to be operated whereby said actuator is rendered effective to impart varying degrees of adjustment to the valve depending upon the particular operated position in which it was latched.

12. In a time controlled valve actuating mechanism, in combination, an actuator biased by a spring to an inactive position, a latch element, a dog carried by said actuator presenting a pair of spaced shoulders engageable selectively with said latch element to hold said actuator in either of two operated positions, a member supported for movement with said actuator and adapted to be connected with the valve to be operated, a pair or projecting elements on said member spaced apart a distance corresponding to the spacing of the shoulders on said dog, a finger rigid with said dog positioned to engage one or the other of said spaced elements depending upon the operated position in which said actuator is held, and means for withdrawing said latch element to release said actuator to the action of its biasing spring, said actuator operating through said finger and the element engaged thereby to impart a valve adjusting movement to said member.

13. In a valve operating mechanism, a pivoted member adapted to be operatively connected with a valve, an actuator pivoted to swing about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of said member, means for rocking said actuator in a direction effective to adjust the valve, a rigid element carried by said member, and a dog carried by said actuator having a finger engageable with said rigid element to impart the movements of said actuator to said member, the pivotal axis of said actuator and said member being spaced apart so as to cause said finger to swing free of said rigid element as said member is rocked into a position to efiect a predetermined adjustment of the valve.

14. A time controlled valve closing mechanism comprising, in combination, a valve operating member movable in one direction as an incident to the opening of the valve and operable upon movement in the opposite direction to close the valve, actuating means operable to move said member in a valve closing direction, means for operatively associating said actuating means with said member in either of two positions, latch means for holding the actuating means against operation, and a timer for releasing said latch means, said. valve operating member being operable by the actuating means upon release of the latch means to either fully or partially close the valve in accordance with the associated position of said actuating means.

HERBERT M. REEVES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date 2,338,804 Drane Jan. 11, 1944 2,308,570 Sherman Jan. 19, 1943 1,787,422 Collier Dec. 30, 1930 2,121,274 Young June 21, 1938 2,013,239 Grayson Sept. 3, 1935 2,067,266 Gikow Jan, 12, 1937 2,373,189 Klein Apr. 10, 1945 

